As commercial drones increasingly challenge naval operations in ports, littorals, and open water, D-Fend Solutions’ EnforceAir brings a radio frequency (RF) cyber-takeover approach designed to safely neutralize hostile unmanned aerial systems (UAS) with precision and minimal disruption to shipboard systems, scaling seamlessly from small vessels to multi-ship and port-area defense.
Recognized with the Innovation award in the Maritime Counter-UAS category in the 2025 Naval Technology Excellence Awards, the company’s EnforceAir Maritime version delivers flexible, non-jamming, AI-enhanced protection. Engineered for ships and ports with ruggedized MIL-STD hardware and naval integration, it ties into existing command and control for rapid, coordinated responses across diverse missions.
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Maritime counter-drone innovation without compromise
D-Fend’s RF cyber-takeover approach addresses a recurring operational dilemma at sea: how to stop a hostile drone without jeopardizing flight safety, navigation, or secure communications. Rather than attempting to jam or destroy the aircraft, EnforceAir detects and identifies the UAS, assumes control, and directs it to a safe landing zone. This selective, non-kinetic mitigation is significant in congested ports, near critical infrastructure, and on flight decks where debris or misdirected jamming could create immediate hazards. The ability to capture and analyze drone data—such as take-off points and controller locations—adds a critical intelligence dimension that conventional methods typically forfeit, supporting threat-network mapping and post-incident learning.
The system’s passive detection during the detect-and-identify phases helps reduce the risk of revealing ship positions or emitting signals that could interfere with other sensors. For multi-ship operations and joint environments, the payoff is fewer unintended signal conflicts and cleaner coordination. Beyond that, the system is built to keep working even when GNSS is disrupted—a frequent reality in contested waters. Maintaining protection when navigation data is degraded or spoofed helps preserve continuity in scenarios where ships are maneuvering, conducting replenishment at sea, or operating close to shore amid dense RF activity.
Purpose-built for the maritime environment
The maritime configuration of EnforceAir incorporates corrosion-resistant materials, halogen-free cabling, and shock-absorbing, MIL-STD-compliant cradles to withstand salt spray, vibration, and the constant movement of a ship at speed. This naval-grade engineering focus is critical when equipment must remain operational during heavy weather, abrupt course changes, or repeated setup and teardown as units embark and disembark across platforms.
Form factor and installation flexibility further align the system to naval realities. Split mount and all-outdoor options allow planners to position antennas and core units to maximize RF coverage and minimize shadowing from masts and superstructure on everything from small patrol craft to larger combatants. The compact, ruggedized design supports rapid embarkation and cross-decking, helping force protection teams put coverage in place quickly during port calls, exercises, or emergent tasking.
At scale, MSC2 (Multi-Sensor Command & Control) enables multi-node operations—whether across a single hull, a pier complex, or multiple ships operating as a screen. This enables a layered defense against simultaneous drone incursions, which is increasingly relevant as adversaries employ swarming tactics and mix commercial and improvised platforms. The availability of a robust API for integration with existing shipboard command and control systems strengthens the case for coordinated effects, real-time air picture sharing, and streamlined operator workflows. Integration at this level preserves alignment between the counter-UAS layer and other sensors and effectors.
Operational agility for ports, littorals, and open sea
A notable differentiator—and a primary driver of the award—is the system’s flexibility across deployment modes and mission profiles. The same core hardware can be rapidly reconfigured for stationary, vehicle, or man-portable use. This enables consistent tactics and training across boarding teams, pier security detachments, and embarked security elements, while reducing logistics burden. The vehicle kit extends a “moving bubble” of protection on the move, with 360-degree coverage and mounting hardware designed to handle shocks and vibration—capabilities that translate effectively to shipboard and port-mobility needs.
The operator experience is another differentiator. AI-driven mitigation logic and an intuitive interface reduce cognitive load during high-tempo events, supporting faster, more confident decision-making. The system’s ability to distinguish friendly or authorized drones from rogue aircraft allows naval and joint units to continue using their own UAS for reconnaissance and overwatch while engaging threats selectively—a practical requirement in modern operations where friendly drones are a routine part of the air picture.
Software-defined architecture underpins long-term adaptability. As new drone models, control links, and tactics appear, software updates extend coverage without a corresponding hardware refresh. The stakes rise for navies operating across theaters with shifting threat profiles, where software updates can outpace evolving drones without hardware swaps. Combined with the scalability of MSC2 and versatile configurations, EnforceAir provides cohesive protection for vessels, convoys, and port infrastructures, supporting agile, expeditionary, and sustained maritime operations.
Company Profile
D-Fend Solutions is the leading global provider of field-proven, RF cyber-driven, non-kinetic, AI-enhanced, counter-drone takeover solutions for sensitive and challenging environments. By focusing on the acute threat, the most dangerous drones, the company’s technology enables organizations around the world to maintain full control, safety, and continuity during rogue drone incidents and be prepared for future threats. EnforceAir, their core offering, autonomously executes radio frequency (RF) cyber-takeovers of rogue drones as a standalone, multilayer, or integrated system, delivering safe landings and controlled outcomes.
Contact Details
Email: info@d-fendsolutions.com
Links
Website: https://d-fendsolutions.com
